India, Sept. 11 -- After nearly a month of devastation, floodwaters have finally begun to recede in Sultanpur Lodhi's Mand area, allowing residents to return to their homes with belongings and livestock. The area had remained submerged since August 11, when the Beas breached its banks, affecting 145 villages and displacing 5,728 people.

The worst-hit villages - Sangra, Mand Mubarakpur, Muhammadabad, Baupur Kadim, Baupur Jadid, Rampur Gura, Mand Bandu Jadid, Bhaini Karim Baksh and Bhaini Bahadur - are slowly showing signs of recovery. With water levels dropping, boats are no longer in use, and residents were seen returning on tractors, salvaging what they could.

"We are relieved that the water has gone, but it's painful to see our crops ...